OVERALL

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X review: 74 specs compared

Avg. price:~£1,340PassMark multi-core score:83559N. of physical cores:24CPU boost clock speed:5.3 GHzCPU socket:sTR5TDP (Thermal design power):350 W

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X Review: Compare 74 technical specifications and 8 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Processors category and whether it is worth buying.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

8.0/10

★Better than 95% of processors

6.6

▼Worse than 86%

8.8

★Better than 98%

7.8

▲Better than 61%

?

Not in any best-of list yet

9.2
Gaming
Gaming
9.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Measures single-core benchmark performance, peak boost clock speeds, and fast L3 cache sizing critical for high frame rates.
When it matters
When you want to play demanding mobile games, 3D titles, or run graphics-intensive apps smoothly.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
30.0%
8.7
PassMark single-core score
25.0%
9.0
Geekbench 6 single-core score
20.0%
9.0
CPU boost clock speed
17.0%
10
L3 cache
8.0%
10
N. of physical cores
10
Video editing
Video editing
10/ 10
✕
What it is
Assesses multi-core benchmark throughput, total physical core and thread count, and cache bandwidth for rapid video rendering.
When it matters
When evaluating how effectively this processors meets your specific video editing needs.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components
45.0%
10
Geekbench 6 multi-core score
20.0%
10
N. of physical cores
20.0%
10
CPU threads
15.0%
10
L3 cache

Where to buy

*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Best rankings

#6inBest workstation CPUs

What reviewers say about the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Based on 3 · 4

Reviewers praise its memory support and strong multithreaded performance, with hardly any complaints.

Praised

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Technical Specifications of processor AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

8.0

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Platform

9.2

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Processor type

CPU socket

Chipset

CPU architecture

Instruction sets

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Performance

9.4

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N. of physical cores

CPU threads

CPU boost clock speed

CPU base clock speed

PassMark multi-core score

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What reviewers say

Architecture

8.5

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Semiconductor size

Foundry

L3 cache

L2 cache

L1 cache

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Memory & PCIe

8.6

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DDR memory version

Maximum memory speed

Max memory speed (JEDEC)

Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)

N/A

Maximum memory capacity

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What reviewers say

Integrated graphics

4.0

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Integrated graphics

Integrated GPU model

N/A

Integrated GPU execution units

N/A

Integrated GPU base frequency

N/A

Integrated media encoders/decoders

N/A

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Power & Thermal

4.5

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TDP (Thermal design power)

Base power (PL1)

Boost power (PL2)

?

Tau (power duration limit)

N/A

Configurable TDP

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X vs the average processor

Why is AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X better than the average processor?

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7.29x higher PassMark score
This processor has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (83,559 vs 11,469). The average processor scores 11,469 in PassMark benchmark.
83,559 vs 11,469
4.47x higher multi-core score
This processor has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (23,292 vs 5,209). The average processor scores 5,209 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
23,292 vs 5,209
18 more CPU cores
This processor has more CPU cores than the average processor (24 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
24 vs 6
20 more performance cores
This processor has more performance cores than the average processor (24 vs 4). The average processor has 4 performance cores.
24 vs 4
More advanced microarchitecture
This processor uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Storm Peak vs Kaby Lake).
Storm Peak vs Kaby Lake
88.5% higher single-core score
This processor has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,893 vs 1,535). The average processor scores 1,535 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
2,893 vs 1,535
61.1% better single-core performance
This processor has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (4,120 vs 2,558). The average processor scores 2,558 in PassMark single-core.
4,120 vs 2,558
40 more CPU threads
This processor has more CPU threads than the average processor (48 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
48 vs 8

16.4% higher review score
Reviews score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 61% of models
80%
7.6
Average grade
20%
8.5
Popularity
Grades by review (8)
4 reviews: 0 with a printed score, 4 estimated from the review. 4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
7.8 vs 6.7

Modern CPU socket
This processor uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (sTR5 vs FP5).
sTR5 vs FP5
More extensive crypto acceleration
This processor offers more extensive crypto acceleration than the average processor (AES, VAES, SHA, PCLMULQDQ vs AES, SHA).
AES, VAES, SHA, PCLMULQDQ vs AES, SHA
Higher-end processor class
This processor belongs to a higher-end processor class than the average processor (workstation vs mobile).
workstation vs mobile
3 years newer release date
This processor has a newer release date than the average processor (2023 vs 2020).
November 2023
2023 vs 2020

7.29x higher PassMark score
This processor has a higher PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (83,559 vs 11,469). The average processor scores 11,469 in PassMark benchmark.
83,559 vs 11,469
4.47x higher multi-core score
This processor has a higher Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (23,292 vs 5,209). The average processor scores 5,209 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
23,292 vs 5,209
18 more CPU cores
This processor has more CPU cores than the average processor (24 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
24 vs 6
20 more performance cores
This processor has more performance cores than the average processor (24 vs 4). The average processor has 4 performance cores.
24 vs 4
88.5% higher single-core score
This processor has a higher Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (2,893 vs 1,535). The average processor scores 1,535 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
2,893 vs 1,535
61.1% better single-core performance
This processor has a higher PassMark single-core score than the average processor (4,120 vs 2,558). The average processor scores 2,558 in PassMark single-core.
4,120 vs 2,558
40 more CPU threads
This processor has more CPU threads than the average processor (48 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
48 vs 8
20.5% higher boost clock
This processor has a higher boost clock speed than the average processor (5.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.4 GHz.
5.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz
Higher base clock
This processor has a higher base clock than the average processor (24x4.2 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz).
24x4.2 GHz vs 4x3.4 GHz
57.8% higher Cinebench R20 single-core score
This processor has a higher Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (773 vs 490). The average processor scores 490 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
773 vs 490
Unlocked for overclocking
This processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the average processor does not. 22.6% of processors offer this.
2.43x faster Blender rendering
This processor has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (966.8 vs 398). The average processor needs 398.015 for the Blender BMW27 test.
966.84 vs 398.015
2.84x faster classroom rendering
This processor has a lower Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (966.8 vs 340.1). The average processor needs 340.075 for the Blender Classroom test.
966.84 vs 340.075
14 higher clock multiplier
This processor has a higher clock multiplier than the average processor (42 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
42 vs 28
2x higher bus transfer rate
This processor has a higher bus transfer rate than the average processor (16 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor offers bus transfer rate of 8 GT/s.
16 GT/s vs 8 GT/s

More advanced microarchitecture
This processor uses a more advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Storm Peak vs Kaby Lake).
Storm Peak vs Kaby Lake
14.22x larger L3 cache
This processor has a higher L3 cache than the average processor (128 MB vs 9 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 9 MB.
128 MB vs 9 MB
8x larger L2 cache
This processor has a higher L2 cache than the average processor (24 MB vs 3 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 3 MB.
24 MB vs 3 MB
2.88x more L3 per core
This processor has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (5.3 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.85 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
5.33 MB/core vs 1.85 MB/core
58.3% smaller process node
This processor has a lower process node than the average processor (5 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
5 nm vs 12 nm
4x larger L1 cache
This processor has a higher L1 cache than the average processor (1,536 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
1,536 KB vs 384 KB
More advanced foundry
This processor uses a more advanced foundry process than the average processor (TSMC 5 nm vs Intel 14 nm).
TSMC 5 nm vs Intel 14 nm
5.31x more transistors
This processor has more transistors than the average processor (26.3 billion vs 4.95 billion). The average processor has 4.95 billion transistors.
26.28 billion vs 4.95 billion
2x more L2 per core
This processor has more L2 cache per core than the average processor (1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
1 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core

Newer PCIe version
This processor supports a newer PCIe version than the average processor (5 vs 3).
5 vs 3
16x more memory capacity
This processor has more maximum memory capacity than the average processor (1 TB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
1 TB vs 64 GB
3.55x higher memory bandwidth
This processor has a higher memory bandwidth than the average processor (166.4 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s.
166.4 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s
Supports memory overclocking
This processor supports memory overclocking, while the average processor does not. 43.9% of processors support memory overclocking.
Newer DDR support
This processor supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR5 vs DDR4).
DDR5 vs DDR4
62.5% higher memory speed
This processor has a higher maximum memory speed than the average processor (5,200 MHz vs 3,200 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 3,200 MHz.
5,200 MHz vs 3,200 MHz
Supports ECC memory
This processor supports ECC memory, while the average processor does not. 32% of processors support it.
Higher JEDEC memory speed
This processor has a higher JEDEC memory speed than the average processor (DDR5-5200 MHz vs DDR4-3200 MHz). The average processor supports JEDEC memory speed of DDR4-3200 MHz.
DDR5-5,200 MHz vs DDR4-3,200 MHz

5 °C lower CPU temperature
This processor has a lower CPU temperature than the average processor (95 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor runs at a CPU temperature of 100 °C.
95 °C vs 100 °C

Why is AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X worse than the average processor?

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7.78x higher base power
This processor has a higher base power draw than the average processor (350 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
350 W vs 45 W
No configurable TDP
This processor does not support configurable TDP, while the average processor does. 53.7% of processors support configurable TDP.
3.8x larger die size
This processor has a higher die size than the average processor (672 mm² vs 177 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 177 mm².
672 mm² vs 177 mm²
7.78x higher TDP
This processor has a higher TDP than the average processor (350 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
350 W vs 45 W
5 °C lower temperature limit
This processor has a lower temperature limit than the average processor (95 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor can run up to 100 °C.
95 °C vs 100 °C
5.36x more expensive
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X is more expensive than the average processor (£1,340 vs £250).
£1,340 vs £250
Weaker security extensions
This processor provides less advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, SHA, NX bit, Memory Guard, Secure Processor, Secure Boot, GMET vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK).
AES-NI, SHA, NX bit, Memory Guard, Secure Processor, Secure Boot, GMET vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK
No integrated graphics
This processor does not include integrated graphics, while the average processor does. 85.4% of processors include integrated graphics.

5.36x more expensive
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X is more expensive than the average processor (£1,340 vs £250).
£1,340 vs £250
9.6% worse value for money
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X has worse value for money than the average processor (6.65 vs 7.3).
6.65 vs 7.29

Weaker security extensions
This processor provides less advanced security extensions than the average processor (AES-NI, SHA, NX bit, Memory Guard, Secure Processor, Secure Boot, GMET vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK).
AES-NI, SHA, NX bit, Memory Guard, Secure Processor, Secure Boot, GMET vs AES-NI, NX bit, Secure Key, TXT, OS Guard, Boot Guard, CET, MBEC, TME, TME-MK
Older TPM support
This processor supports an older TPM version than the average processor (fTPM 2 vs PTT 2).
fTPM 2.0 vs PTT 2.0

3.8x larger die size
This processor has a higher die size than the average processor (672 mm² vs 177 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 177 mm².
672 mm² vs 177 mm²

6 fewer memory channels
This processor has fewer memory channels than the average processor (8 vs 2). The average processor supports 2 memory channels.
8 vs 2

No integrated graphics
This processor does not include integrated graphics, while the average processor does. 85.4% of processors include integrated graphics.

7.78x higher base power
This processor has a higher base power draw than the average processor (350 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
350 W vs 45 W
No configurable TDP
This processor does not support configurable TDP, while the average processor does. 53.7% of processors support configurable TDP.
7.78x higher TDP
This processor has a higher TDP than the average processor (350 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
350 W vs 45 W
5 °C lower temperature limit
This processor has a lower temperature limit than the average processor (95 °C vs 100 °C). The average processor can run up to 100 °C.
95 °C vs 100 °C

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0

SkatterBencher

≈ estimated

04/03/2024

Overclocking guide · PBO and fixed-clock overclock tests

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X gets better all-core performance and lower temperatures from a fixed-clock overclock, though the boost limiter holds back this 24-core chip.

8.0

WootDini Tech & Tutorials

≈ estimated

11/12/2023

Hands-on review · benchmarks, temperatures and power tests

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X suits demanding productivity work and is a capable all-rounder, but it is not aimed at gaming or Adobe-style apps.

7.0

Realmeltan

≈ estimated

29/11/2023

Hands-on review · temperature and power tests

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X is a good entry point to high-end desktop, but new platform costs add up and it is overkill for gaming or regular content creation.

9.0

Game Tech Reviews

≈ estimated

18/12/2023

Comparison · benchmarks against a 16-core desktop chip

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X handles multithreaded work and memory-heavy systems well, but trails the 16-core consumer chip in gaming.

Not graded

Not graded

Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0

gamersnexus.net

≈ estimated

02/01/2024

AMD's "Cheap" Threadripper HEDT CPU: 7960X 24-Core CPU Review & Benchmarks

Lab review · Video editing and rendering

Verdict

The Threadripper 7960X suits heavy video editing and rendering, but Photoshop gains little from its 24 cores and mainstream chips beat it in some tests.

6.0

skatterbencher.com

≈ estimated

05/03/2024

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X Overclocked to 5715 MHz GamersNexus

Overclocking guide · Custom water loop

Verdict

The Threadripper 7960X reaches 5715 MHz on a custom water loop, but unlocking overclocking cannot be undone.

6.0

computerbase.de

≈ estimated

02/01/2024

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X Review: Testing the 24-Core Entry-Level Model in Workload and Gaming Benchmarks

Benchmark test · High-end desktop CPU

Verdict

The Threadripper 7960X is the smallest high-end desktop Threadripper, with 24 cores and 50% more threads than a Ryzen 9 7950X, but it needs a new platform.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Exceptional multi-threaded performance for rendering, AI, and heavy workloads
Entry-level HEDT pricing (approx. $1,500) compared to higher-tier Threadripper models
Robust I/O capabilities with up to 92 total PCIe lanes (88 usable) for extensive storage and GPU setups
Supports quad-channel DDR5 RDIMM memory with capacities up to 1TB
Higher power efficiency in all-core workloads compared to many mainstream CPUs
Unlocked multiplier allows for manual overclocking to further boost performance

What customers don't like about AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

High platform entry cost, including expensive TRX50 motherboards and RDIMM-only RAM requirements
Gaming performance lags behind significantly cheaper mainstream CPUs like the Ryzen 7 7800X3D
350W TDP requires high-end, often expensive, cooling solutions; no cooler is included
Marginal performance gains in single-threaded applications like Photoshop compared to standard Ryzen 9 chips
Limited memory channels (4) compared to the 8 channels available on Threadripper Pro models

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X is a high-end desktop (HEDT) processor based on the 5nm 'Zen 4' architecture, featuring 24 cores and 48 threads with a base clock of 4.2 GHz and a boost frequency up to 5.3 GHz. Designed for demanding workstations, it includes a massive 152MB total cache (128MB L3), supports quad-channel DDR5 memory up to 1TB, and provides 88 usable PCIe 5.0/4.0 lanes for extensive I/O expandability. Main pros include exceptional multi-threaded performance for rendering and video editing, significant I/O capabilities compared to mainstream chips, and support for ECC memory. However, it comes with a high 350W TDP requiring robust cooling, lacks integrated graphics, necessitates an expensive TRX50 motherboard, and offers lower gaming value relative to cheaper consumer-grade CPUs.

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Compare AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X with other processors

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